Bob Hayes - World’s Fastest Human Finally Reaches The Finish Line

By Terry Porter

Bob Hayes finally finished his last race. My question is, why did it take so long?

In 1964 Bob Hayes won the gold medal in the 100 meter dash at the Tokyo Olympics. He was crowned the world’s fastest human. That year he held the world record in the 60 yard dash, the 100 yard dash, the 220 yard dash and the Olympic 100 meter dash. His anchor leg on the world record setting USA 400 meter relay team is one of the most celebrated in the history of the Games.

Earlier in 1964 the Dallas Cowboys had drafted Hayes to play wide receiver. Hayes had played football at Florida A&M so he was not just a track guy attempting to play football. However, until Hayes no track star had been able to parlay success on the cinders to success on the gridiron.

"Bullet Bob" Hayes was no normal track star. He became a star player for the football team with a star on its helmet. The game of football was changed forever.

Hayes terrorized defensive coordinators with his blazing speed. No team could defend him one on one. Say hello to zone defense.

I grew up watching the Cowboys on TV every Sunday. They were my team. Hayes was my favorite player. Each time he touched the football I sat up expecting something spectacular. The phrase "he can fly" was first used to describe Hayes.

Hayes retired after a stellar career. For me the game became less exciting. That may have had more to do with my growing into adulthood. But no player has ever excited me as much as Hayes.

After his retirement Hayes found himself on the wrong side of the law and he spent time in prison for drug possession.

Due to his indiscretions the football writers, and the league itself, turned their backs on Hayes. How could they condone illegal behavior from a former player in their pristine world of God fearing, clean living athletes?

I hoped Hayes would turn his life around after serving his time. He did just that. After his release from prison, Hayes selflessly gave of his time to speak about how drugs had taken years from his life.

Even though Hayes’s public image was rebounding his health was failing. Sadly in 2002 he died due to kidney failure.

I had hoped the last chance I would have to cheer for Bob Hayes would be his induction to the pro football hall of fame.

It looked like that would not happen. I didn’t think the pro football writers would forgive Hayes for making a mistake.

However, this past January he was finally voted into the Hall. Hayes would now be recognized as one of the game’s greats.

Hayes had one last race and he won it. He should have been honored by the writers many years before while he was still alive and could have enjoyed the ceremony.

Sadly that won’t happen.

However, Bob Hayes did finally reach the finish line. He won the ultimate race for a pro football player.

This August when Hayes is honored in Canton, Ohio I will be watching. It will be one last chance for me to sit up and cheer my favorite Cowboy.

Terry Lee Porter,a local insurance executive and native Austinite is widely considered to be Austin's foremost expert on early Dallas Cowboys history. A graduate of Brykerwoods Elementary School, O. Henry Junior High, Austin High School and the University of Texas, Porter makes his home in West Austin.

Fun Fact: Terry is also known for his fondness for late Austin music legend, Kenneth Threadgill.

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